Courts ‘turned into reality TV’

ALLOWING cameras in British courts could turn justice into a reality TV show starring “eccentric” lawyers, critics warned last night.

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke earlier told MPs a ban on cameras will be overturned to promote greater transparency and understanding of the judicial process.

It will be the first time, apart from the Supreme Court, that cameras have been allowed in and only the judge’s summary remarks will be filmed. The ban on showing victims, witnesses, offenders and jurors inside court will remain, said Mr Clarke.

Footage of judgments in England and Wales will pioneer the practice and judges in the Court of Appeal will be the first to have their remarks televised, followed by those in Crown Courts.

But Tory MP Roger Gale said it risked turning justice into a reality show and providing a platform for “eccentric” legal professionals.

Mr Gale, a former TV producer, said screening Parliament had resulted in grandstanding by MPs and a concentration on “juicy” extracts at the expense of less entertaining debates.